Alagnak in July

[sulross]

My best friend and I are headed up to Alaska to fly fish the first two weeks of July. We do a fly fishing road trip each summer and this year we decided to go further than my truck can go in the amount of time. We have both been to Alaska, but we've never done a rafting trip for multiple days. We have rented a raft and will be going down the Alagnak River from Nonvianuk Lake for seven days - July 01 through the 8th - self guided.  Has anyone on these boards done a float down that river, or in the Katmai Park area?  If so, what tips can you give and do you have any fishing reports?  We are trying to figure out what flies to take, how the "night time" works (does it ever get truly dark that time of year), and what to expect from jet boats/other traffic on the river.  We are good to go on bear information and have a solid plan in place for that part. We are looking outside of that type of info - more related to fishing and traffic.

After that week, we are going to drive around the Kenai peninsula for a week and fish. If you have any info you'd like to share there - we'll take it, too.

Thanks!

[mirvc17]

Bold trip!

Sorry but I don't have that much to offer--never been to that part of AK. But I would try to see if any local guide services have websites that have fishing reports, or maybe even call a place. That area seems pretty remote so you may not be able to get as much information as you might want. I think google will be your best friend--already I found just a little bit of info (Angler's Alibi). I'd call Brad at Alaska Fly Fishing Goods, get some advice and buy some flies from him. Those guys will hook you up.

Questions: What species are you targeting? I cannot speak to what fish are running during that time--your best bet is the department of fish and game and do some research on the runs (seems like only Sockeye data from years past is available).

Mousing for trout seems possible so I'd pack some big mouse patterns. You cannot go wrong with Dolly Llama's in multiple sizes and color combos. Also sculpin patterns are good, and of course egg patterns (or beads if legal during that time).

Regarding night time. You can get almanac data off the web. Again, a quick search for Naknek showed this last year:

Sunrise 5:23 A.M. Sunset 11:40 P.M. 18:16 Day Length.

Yes it gets dark, but not very dark (I lived in Eagle River).

Concerning Kenai, expect lots of traffic on the Kenai river, Russian, etc. Expect near zero etiquette on the Russian...people too concerned with getting their limit of fish and walking right through where you are fishing. I actually enjoyed fishing for rainbows and dolly's on Quartz Creek in the same area more than fishing for sockeye. We didn't see another angler around on Quartz. You need a drift boat for the Kenai, but Quartz is walk/wade. I'd get in touch with Alaska Troutfitters in Cooper Landing......